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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (MA)

The study of TESOL provides preparation for helping others improve their abilities to use English and thereby to function successfully where English is used — whether in K–12 classrooms or in community, business, professional or artistic and cultural settings.

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Overview

Program highlights

Designed primarily for individuals who wish to teach overseas, at community colleges and intensive English programs, and for K-12 teachers wishing to upgrade their skills and employability.

Offers a direct opportunity for multicultural and international experiences, as well as service to the community.

Courses are designed using the Quality Matters set of professional standards based upon research, best practices and national standards for course design.

Please note: Some courses may be applied toward the Iowa English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement. In addition to coursework, ESL students must have a minimum of 12 hours of supervised teaching at both the K–6 and 7–12 endorsement levels, at least one of which must include ESL.

Convenient course delivery

Courses are offered using a combination of Adobe Connect, a desktop video conferencing system and online via eLearning, a Blackboard learning management system. Courses meeting in the fall and spring semesters are taught in eight-week modules on Thursday evenings.

While most students encounter very few technical difficulties with our online courses, our team of support specialists is available to assist you as needed.

Our faculty

TESOL faculty members are actively involved in and passionate about the profession. They conduct and publish research, present papers throughout the world and provide exceptional course experiences. With great importance placed on teaching, faculty members put student needs first as they provide opportunities for academic/professional development, empowering students to succeed in their careers.

Career opportunities

A graduate degree in TESOL prepares students for an exciting future. With an increasing demand for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, TESOL graduates will continue to have a wide variety of career possibilities. UNI graduates are teaching in more than 25 countries.

Our Graduates

Recent graduates of the program include

Teachers of English in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Asia

K-12 teachers in the U.S. (licensure required)

English teachers in community colleges and in Intensive English programs in the U.S. and abroad

Professionals in government agencies and on grant-funded projects developing curricula and evaluating English teaching programs

Tentative course scheduleClick on a course title to view the course description (if available).

Fall 2015

TESOL

4520/5520

Cultural Aspects of Language and Language Teaching

Investigation of relationship between language and culture and the interactions among language, social institutions, cultural beliefs and individual behavior. Applications for teaching English to non-native speakers. Prerequisite(s): TESOL 4120/5120 or TESOL 4110/5110; junior standing.

3 unit(s)

Applies to ESL Endorsement*

TESOL

6100

Introduction to Graduate Study in TESOL/Applied Linguistics

Introduction to sources, tools and techniques in graduate-level study and research in TESOL and language sciences.

3 unit(s)

Spring 2016

LANG

4740/5740

Approaches to Language Learning and Teaching

Focus on the learning of language (the four skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and approaches to teaching language that combine communicative, thematic, and task-based learning with a concern for students' individual differences. Attention to recognizing the assumptions and aims of various teaching methods in order to guide and strengthen teaching practice. Prerequisite(s) or corequisite(s): TESOL 4110/5110 or TESOL 4120/5120 or SPAN 3001; junior standing.

Examination of phonology, syntax, and semantics in a variety of natural and artificial languages; includes study of language development and regional and social variation. No credit if prior credit in TESOL 4110/5110 (630:130g). Prerequisite(s): junior standing or consent of TESOL major advisor.

3 unit(s)

Applies to ESL Endorsement*

TESOL

6289

Seminar in Language: Bilingualism and Bilingual Education

3 unit(s)

Applies to ESL Endorsement*

Fall 2016

TESOL

6510

Second Language Acquisition

Historical background and methodology of second language acquisition research; current theories of acquisition and learning; role of individual and societal variables in language learning.

Investigation of the grammatical system of English; emphasis on tools and processes used to identify and teach grammatical patterns. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. Prerequisite(s) or corequisite(s): TESOL 4120/5120 (630:125g) or TESOL 4110/5110 (630:130g).

3 unit(s)

Fall 2017

Complete research paper

FAQs

General information

What are the costs?

All students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of location, making it an affordable option for all students.

Tuition for the 2016-17 academic year is $478 per unit of graduate credit or $296 per unit of undergraduate credit. An additional technology fee per course may apply. Tuition and fees are expected to rise each May, typically announced by the Iowa Board of Regents in March.

Do I qualify for financial aid?

Distance education students may qualify for financial aid with the following eligibility requirements:

Since its establishment in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School, the University of Northern Iowa has maintained its affirmed commitment to the support of excellence in teacher education. That commitment remains strong as the university continues to prepare students to become teachers, as well as provide opportunities for career advancement in the field of education. In addition to a commitment to teaching, our faculty members are engaged in research, writing and professional development. View UNI's national rankings and honors.

I'm not sure about distance learning. How can I make sure it’s right for me?

The University of Northern Iowa is committed to providing comprehensive support services for distance education students. The Office of Continuing and Distance Education serves as your primary point of contact in accessing distance education support services, including enrollment services, technical support for online course tools and more. You are also given access to the UNI Rod Library’s print and electronic collections for your convenience. View a complete list of services and support resources.

Please contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at 319-273-5970, 800-648-3864 or distance@uni.edu with any questions. If we don’t have the answer, we will do our best to find it.

Will academic advising assistance be provided?

You will work with the program coordinator when communicating about the program of study. Once participating in the program, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with you one-on-one regarding your progress in the program.

Program specific information

How do I get started?

See the "Next Steps" tab above for information. If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator(s) and/or enrollment contact below or contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at ContinuingEd@uni.edu.

What happens if I miss a course in the sequence?

While it is often possible to make up courses that are missed, our commitment is to deliver the courses as outlined in the cohort schedule. This is not designed as a program in which students come and go. Rather, the cohort model requires that students take the prescribed sequence in unison. Should you need to miss a course, you should consult with your program advisor for options.

How will I enroll in the courses?

When you have completed the steps to admission and have been accepted into the program, we will send you details and information about how to enroll in the first course. After you participate in the first term of courses in the cohort sequence, the Office of Continuing and Distance Education will notify you with enrollment details for the next term of courses as they become available. You are required to enroll in your courses each semester.

Can I take the courses out of sequence or start at a later date?

The program is planned so that students move through the sequence of courses as a cohort group. The first course forms a foundation for the program and includes an introduction unit describing the program goals, sequence of courses, standards, rubrics and academic expectations. For that reason, it is important that you enroll and complete the courses in the same sequence. Program faculty expect that students have a growing knowledge of concepts built upon a prescribed sequence of courses. In addition, program faculty work to build an online community as students move through the course sequence together.

How are the courses delivered?

For information about course delivery, please see the "Overview" tab above.

Additional FAQs

What are the GPA guidelines?

Undergraduate GPA

Admission consideration

3.0 and above

May be considered for full admission

2.75-2.99

May be considered for provisional admission

Less than 2.75

May be denied admission

Can transfer credits from another college/university apply toward program requirements?

In general, students complete the full set of courses outlined in the program. It is possible to transfer a limited number of graduate credits. However, this credit must meet the following criteria:

Course must be a regular graduate course with a graduate course number (not professional development or college credit through an Educational Agency or conference).

Course must be taken by the student in graduate status, and the official transcript must show a grade of B- or better earned.

Course must be applicable as a graduate requirement at the institution where it is taken.

Course must be taught by regular graduate faculty.

Course must meet the UNI seven-year recency requirement.

Academic departments will determine whether or not they wish to accept transfer credit even if itmeets the above requirements. These criteria were established to prevent credits not intended for use toward graduate degrees (i.e., Area Education Agency/professional development credits) from being used to meet UNI degree program requirements.

There are no entrance exams required for this program; however, students from countries where the native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

What are the benefits of pursuing the TESOL MA degree?

The TESOL MA degree is designed primarily for individuals who wish to teach overseas, at community colleges and intensive English programs, and for K-12 teachers wishing to upgrade their skills and employability. The TESOL instructor no only provides an invaluable service, but also gains a richer understanding of both language in general and the many different languages and cultures of our world. Perhaps no other academic program offers such a direct opportunity for multicultural and international experiences, as well as service to the community.

Next Steps

We want to hear from you!

Please complete the online interest form on the right to express your interest in joining a future TESOL MA cohort. We will use the information you provide to send you program updates, including important information about application deadlines.

Delivery of the program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.